You’ve got great business ideas. And you have the skills to implement them. But do you know where to start and how to get your ideas heard? It's time to put your business plans into action. Or maybe it's time to learn how to turn your hobby into a business and be your own boss. This carefully curated list of eight books every business woman should read will help you kick butt at whatever career ventures you desire.
Fast Forward
How Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose
by Melanne Verveer and Kim K Azzarelli
Fast Forward is a lot to take in. It is both a history of women's roles in the U.S. and a toolkit for finding meaning, connection, and, yes, power in today’s world. But it’s a worthy read. This book combines hard history with anecdotal evidence of why women’s voices matter in politics and business. The authors give women not only tips to achieve personal success, but they also show how to help all boats rise on the tide of women in power. Buy Fast Forward: How Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose
from Amazon now.
Lean In
Women, Work and the Will to Lead
by Sheryl Sandberg
We’ve heard a lot about Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg’s controversial book Lean In in recent years. This book challenges women to be leaders in their own lives and in business. Sandberg highlights women's needs and strengths in the workplace. She faced criticism because some of her recommendations only applied to wealthier women. Not all women can afford quality childcare so they can return to their career after becoming mothers. But she brought to light many subtle issues about women in the workplace that make Lean In essential reading for both men and women. Buy Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
 today.
Own It
The Power of Women at Work
by Sallie Krawcheck
Building on Sandberg's book is Own It. This guides is written by Sallie Krawcheck, cofounder and CEO of Ellevest, a digital investment platform designed to help women reach their financial goals. Krawcheck asserts that the business world is, in fact, changing in such a way that women's inherent strengths will be in high demand. While not so much a how-to as a I “how-I-did-it,” the book gives some great tips on asking for raises and claiming – even boasting about – credit for achievements. Go get a copy of Own It: The Power of Women at Work
 of your own.
#Girlboss
by Sophia Amoruso
#Girlboss provides motivation for Millennial women in business. Author Sophia Amoruso started her retail company, Nasty Gal, with a hernia and a great sense of style. After a string of questionable judgment calls in her teens, Amoruso's first big move into adulthood was holding down a job long enough to get the health insurance she needed to treat the aforementioned hernia. During her recuperation, she began selling vintage clothing on eBay. She then turned a love of vintage clothing and fashion into a multi-million dollar business in just a matter of a few years. Amoruso did all of this without following the traditional advice of using other people’s money to grow her business. This business memoir takes the reader through the good, the bad, and the seriously ugly parts of her business story. Purchase #Girlboss
like the boss you are.
Work Pause Thrive
How to Pause for Parenthood without Killing Your Career
by Lisen Stromberg
What if you want to lean back into the business world after taking a career break? Many Fortune 500 companies are developing programs for “Relaunchers.” Even law firms are reaching out to women who left law to raise children, deal with aging parents or just take a break. Work Pause Thrive by Lisen Stromberg reminds us that many accomplished women have taken a break from their careers and later leapt back in with both feet. Even Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor left her law practice for five years to care for her children early in her career.
Stromberg laments the “leaky pipeline” that results when valuable women leave the workforce and don't come back. The journalist/consultant points out that we need women in leadership positions to help change the business structure to better accommodate women and families. Don't put off your relaunch any longer! Head over to Amazon to get Work PAUSE Thrive: How to Pause for Parenthood Without Killing Your Career
now.
In the Company of Women
Inspiration and Advice from Over 100 Makers, Artists and Entrepreneurs
by Grace Bonney
Grace Bonney, the creator of Design Sponge, wrote In the Company of Women. It features a series of interviews and photos of women business owners across a wide array of primarily creative industries. From one-woman design shops to multi-hyphenate media moguls, the subjects offer inspiring stories and honest advice for entrepreneurs. It’s not so much an instruction manual as it is an inspiration board.
Attractive women with toned arms and high heels grace the covers of many business books for women. Even the millennial rebel #Girlboss sports a plunging neckline with her fierce stance. (Although the author says in the book, she’s all about dressing for herself, not for other people.) In the Company of Women is a nice break from that mold, showing women of all ages, races, and styles, without a stiletto in sight. Buy In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs
 and you just may catch some of these women's enthusiasm and creativity.
Boss Bitch
A Simple 12-Step Plan to Take Charge of Your Career
by Nicole Lapin
I hate the b-word. I don’t want to embrace it. But a lot of successful women are owning this term. Despite the off-putting title, Boss Bitch by Nicole Lapin is one of the few business books for women that addresses the nuts and bolts of starting a business. It's not the main focus of the book – in fact it only appears three-quarters of the way through – but it's such a rarity it deserves mention. Lapin writes as though she's dishing over a two martini lunch. It's a fun read, but TV news anchor and business woman does add some substance that is lacking in other business books for women. If you don't mind being addressed by the b-word, you can take some solid information away from this one. Buy your copy of Boss Bitch: A Simple 12-Step Plan to Take Charge of Your Career
.
Killing It!
An Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart
by Sheryl O'Loughlin
So you've made it through all the history, the philosophy, the memoirs, the soul-searching, the empowerment, and you're ready to start your business. There has to be a guide out there to walk you through it. Indeed there is. Sheryl O'Loughlin's Killing It! is one of the best business books for women out there. In it, the former CEO of Clif Bar gives you the practical advice you need regarding business formation, taxes, and pitfalls. O'Loughlin also addresses some of the most common problems related to women running their own businesses, and tells you how to face and fix them. Get business savvy by buying Killing It: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart
today.
My thoughts on business books for women
As a serial entrepreneur, I've read numerous business books over the years and learned something new from each of them. In reviewing the current batch of business books for women, though, I've found something astounding. Most of them are more about relationships and being liked than they are about actual business. Wow, there's a lot of books about how to be powerful without being labeled a bitch, or about embracing your inner bitch. Thankfully, this list of business books for women includes the notable exceptions.
Which of these business books for women appeals most to you? Do you have any additional titles you love? Let us know in the comments below!
This story includes affiliate links. Your purchases help TravelMamas.com remain a free resource for readers like you. Thank you!
About Paige Conner Totaro, The Startup Travel Mama
I am interested with that book, Work Pause Thrive. It is difficult to excel in your career without having to sacrifice family time. I think this is a going to be a great read.
Amen! There’s a lot of momentum around “relaunching” women into the workplace after a break. Many of the top legal and financial firms are realizing there’s great untapped potential there.
This is a great list of books. I have read a few of these, but haven’t heard of most. I bookmarked this to read these later.
Thanks, Michelle! I get so much inspiration from each of them. Hope you do, too.
I would love to read some of these books. I think it’s awesome to be able to get some influence from fellow women. Especially now that I’m starting my new business.
Good luck with your new business! See if you can find a women’s networking group in your area. They offer regular meetups where women business owners can share information and help each other to succeed. I’ve found them to be really helpful and inspiring.
It’s good to have business books that help empower women and make them feel more confident in the field that they’re in. These sound really helpful.
Yep. I think women often underplay their strengths. But we need more women in business and women at the top!
This is such a great round up of books! I love reading about women in business!
Thanks, Brianne! And be sure to let me know if you have favorites that I didn’t mention. I’m always looking for more inspiration.
Books like these are a favorite read for me. I like self help and inspirational books. There is still so much to learn even if you think you are already successful.
Exactly. Success doesn’t rest on its laurels.
I’ve started a new lineup of books I want to read right now and this is a nice list. I need to read more business books!
I never think to read a book to improve my business. This list has motivated me to try some new things. Great post!
I think we can always learn something from these books. We don’t have to agree with them, but it’s a good idea to look at what others are doing to see if it sparks ideas for our own businesses.
I feel like these are the books I need to really push myself into my full potential. Adding them all to my summer reading list.
Yes! Self-improvement summer!
I have heard how incredible Lean In is. One of my friends read it and she is a finance major and she absolutely loved it!
It got a lot of flack when it first came out, but I found a lot of good information, advice, and inspiration in it.
I love having books around that inspire me. This list of Best Business Books for Women really looks like a great collection to add to my bookshelf. I will have to pick up at least two for now!
And be sure to ask your tax adviser if you can deduct the cost of these books as business expenses. 🙂
I see so many people have heard of it. I haven’t but now I am curious to read and see it. 🙂
I actually learned about it from my teenage daughter, who was a fan of the company, long before I knew anything about it.
I added Girl Boss to my Netflix lineup, but didn’t realize there was a book too. I’ll be reading that first before watching the series.
I’m really looking forward to watching the series. She’s got a great story, warts and all.
What a great collection of books. I really want to read Sheryl Sandberg’s book.
You absolutely should! And then we should have a book group discussion. 🙂
These sound like great books for when you need inspiration. I would like to read several of them.
I really recommend reading a few of these per year to make sure you are up-to-date on current business trends.
These sound like they’d be incredibly helpful. There is always going to be something new to learn so it’s good to keep reading!
Do you have any favorites that I missed? I am always on the lookout.
I have a friend who is reading “Boss Bitch” and she says it’s the bomb. I’m next!!
As much as I hate the word, I did like this one. It had some really good information to offer.
These all sound like great reads! I think it’s important to constantly improve yourself and your approach to business.
Thanks, Colleen! We’re always hustling – in the best way.